Daredevil Drivers (1978?)

Director: Yasuhiko Kawano (who also produced and wrote the screenplay)

Starring: Linda Stayer, Chiaki Ohtomo, Akira Kuros and lots of other people you've never heard of. And then there's Baz Bandy!

My Rating: 7/10

Would I watch it again? YES

I picked this one up in a trade from a Swedish collector I deal with from time to time. I knew nothing about it except the title. What a gem!

I've searched everywhere and I can find virtually nothing on it. It's not listed on imdb. I did find a pic of the handbill which the auction seller says is from 1978 (pictured above) but it looks like it's likely from 1972 or near it. And then here's the English trailer on youtube...

This thing is priceless. It's a near non-stop barrage of car stunts as a result of a competition between an American Team and a Japanese team. Kick ass stunt after kick ass stunt unfolds, each usually more thrilling after the other. Not that we need it but there is a story. Ohtomo is thought to be Japanese-American (although he looks more like The Fonz at times than Japanese - and we later learn from a team mate that he's nether Japanese nor American but doesn't say where he's from) and is on the American team. Ohtomo is haunted by the horrific auto accident that caused his sister's death. Linda is a cute young blonde working for the Japanese team that's got the hots for Ohtomo. The problem is Ohtomo let's his sister's death get in the way of going after her sushimi.

"Ayyyyyyyyy"

That doesn't stop Linda. No siree Bob. Once she finds out from another driver what's troubling Ohtomo she moves in for the kill. The dubbing and the acting are laughable but the heartfelt sentiment can be felt in this very touching scene...

Ohtomo has just sat down in his car and looks at a photo of his sister, remembering (in flashback) the accident when Linda walks over, snatches the photo, walks around the car, enters and sits down and says...

Linda: Ohtomo, why don't I replace your sister? Hey, we're off today. Let's go for a ride.

They take off and it doesn't take long before a couple of guys in a Porsche pull up alongside them where one of them says, "You Japanese are fast with women."! Then they start racing. Classic stuff here. And if you think that's remotely funny you should see how they deliver the lines. It's riotous.



It's fucking classic. Not to mention the songs are so sappy and cheesy. Sample this fine lyric..."Love, love, love. It's you, you, you. You're all about my love, love, love...so new." And best of all, it's written & performed by William "Smitty" Smith! Hahahahahaha. Classic. His sole credit on imdb is as a studio musician on THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE (1990), another fun movie. I'd love to interview this guy.



This is a hysterical film in the so bad it's good camp. BUT it's also loaded with car stunts of all kind as well as vintage auto racing and a slew of European sports cars from the 60s and very early 70s. It's a gear-head's dream. I'm not into cars like some of my friends (who LOVE this movie as much as I did) but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It's very entertaining.

UPDATE 7/29/12: You can now watch the entire flick below. Thanks for the heads-up commenter.